Fire kindler briquette



De@m M, 1934. C .s PALMER 1,983,560

FIRE KINDLER BRIQUETTE Filed May 20, 1932 Izar/e6 Palmen;

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES A1ra-sasso FIRE KINDLEB BBIQUETTE Charles Skee-le Palmer, Pittsburgh, Pa., asslgnor of two-thirds to Jacob Gold, Pittsburgh, Pa. l

Application May 20, 1932, Serial No. 612,582

s claims.

'Ihis invention relates to fuel briquettes, par,- ticularly to re kindlers.

An object is the provision of a re kindler briquette which is quick lighting, being capable of ignition from a single match or taper.

Another object is the provision of a nre kindler briquette having a geometrical formation of such character that` free draft is secured to all parts thereof regardless of the position given the briquette in service.

A further object is the provision of such a briquette so shaped that portions thereof constitute supports for holding fuel, such as coal or coke to be ignited, in relatively spaced draft open position at the area of ignition.

Other objects, which will be apparent 'from the description, are concerned with the composition and making of the briquette. The present disclosure constitutes a practical embodiment of the invention but the details shown and described are not intended as limitations inconsistent with the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure l of the drawing is a perspective of a briquette as in service position.

Figure 2 is an elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a section medially through the briquette on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Fire kindling briquettes made in accordance with this invention are intended for use in connection with fuel such as coal or coke. The briquettes are made up of readily combustible material and one or more briquette is sufficient for starting an ordinary furnace or grate fire. It is essential that a fire kindler in order to be effective shall be capable of free burning without draft impedance. In this invention I have accomplished this object by making the briquettes in.

the form of polyhedral members so arranged that in any position of the briquette with respect to a grate, hearth, or the like, the body of the briquette is supported on at least three spaced supporting points or two edges so that the principal body of the briquette is raised suiilciently to permit of a free draft thereunder and around all sides thereof.

Briquettes made in accordance with this invention have substantially the following composition:

By weight Percent Tnfnl I 168 From this material the briquette is made up by pressing-or otherwise forming a'plurality of cubes which are assembled in sets of seven.v To each of the six faces of a, central cube there is attached a similar cube by suitable combustible adhesive material so that the resulting briquette is of the geometrical configuration shown in the drawing. As shown each briquette comprises a central cube 10 having secured to each face thereof similar cubes l1l 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. In service, as the briquette is placed on a grate or other sup-- port 17 it is apparent from an inspection of Figure l that it will so position itself that three of' the cubes will have a point bearing on the body of the grate. This three point support occurs regardless of the position assumed by the briquette in service.,l The fuel to be ignited is, of course, pyramided or piled loosely over and around the briquette and by this arrangement the uppermost adjacent flat surfaces of the cubes provide supports for holding the fuel` against dropping and shaking into such position as to block a. free draft through the center of a nre.

The entire surface of the briquette is provided with a varnish comprising a coat of parain and the respective cubes have also a light external coating of some brous, shredded, easily combustible material such as excelsior or the like generally indicated as at 18. By reason of this quick lighting coating'- the briquette may be startedI by the use of a single match or taper as the shredded material easily catches nre and communicates the combustion to the material of the briquette.

Thebriquette may, ofcourse, be molded 0r pressed as a single unit wherein the entire body is integral and as to shape may have any geometrical configuration that will insure a plurality of A spaced supporting points for the body in any p0- sition assumed by the briquette in service.

The composition may vary within limits that do not constitute a substantial departure fromthe formula disclosed. More or less of the nitro-cellulose may be employed as desired or its use may be dispensed with as this ingredient is an accelerator and is not essential to the accomplishment of the purposes intended.

The sawdust is combined with the sodium nitrate in solution or added as powdered solid in proportions of about twenty-live-parts sawdust and fifteen sodium nitrate, after which the sawdust is dried and mixed with the coal and other ingredients to form a composition which is pressed or molded into the desired shape.

In the embodiment of the invention I have found that a briquette made in the geometrical shape of the well known jackstone is highly eilicient. The material forming the body is pressed into a substantially solid substance which, however, remains porous in some degree by virtue of the character of the ingredients employed. This porosity or sponge-like structure quick i HW H lighting and thorough combustion of the briquette in service. j

'I'he surface varnish is not restricted to paratlln as any combustible water proong material will suiiice. The surface coating acts to seal the pores of the body as well as to provide a moisture excluding agent, The particular shape of the briquettes wherein they are embodied in the-form of a Jackstone is important in that a number of briquettes may be readily nested for packing. This ready nesting of briquettes makes for economy in transportation and handling as well as serving as a mutual reinforcement for' individual briquettes .to insure against damage in handling packages of the same.

With the exception of the nitro-cellulose ingredient, all of the substances employed in making up the briquettes are low priced and easily obtainabie. The nitro-cellulose ingredient may be dispensed with it desired but as the percentage employed is exceedingly small, the cost is not a substantial item in the manufacture ot the briquettes.

I'claim:

1. A rire kindling briquette comprising a substantially solid body of readily combustible kmaterial having a substantimly cubical center provided with cubical extensions projecting laterally from each face thereof.

2. A rekindling briquette comprising a substantially solid body of readily) combustible material formed with mutually spaced cubical Drojections substantially o! equal volume extending therefrom ori all sides.

3. A flre kindling briquette comprising, by weight, powdered coal'80 grams, sawdust and scdium nitrate 4) grams, rosin 20 grams, pitch 20 grams, light fuel oil 7 grams, and nitro-cellulose 1 gram.

CHARLES SKEELE PALMER. 

